Oddsmakers have listed Minnesota as huge -200 favorites in the April 13th AL free pick as they host the Tigers. That line may seem a big high as the teams have had very similar starts to the season, Detroit going 8-5 and the Twins 6-4. Minnesota is back at Target Field after a 7 game road swing and the Twins looked very good on their home field in the opening series of the season.
Tigers Expected to Struggle on the Road?
Detroit has won 4 of their last 6 although each was in the comfort of Comerica Park. The Tigers head on the road Saturday for the first time in 10 days but in their last away series they took 2 of 3 at Yankee Stadium. The Detroit offense can be kind of hit or miss lately though, scoring just 9 runs over the last four games. Only two Tiger batters have ever faced Minnesota starter Michael Pineda as well. Miguel Cabrera has gone 6-10 with 2 doubles vs. right hander though. that being said, a 38 degree game time temp doesn’t exactly help the bats get going.
Of course Minnesota hitters have to endure the same conditions in the April 13th AL free pick so that could give Tigers starter Tyson Ross an edge in this one. Then again Ross pitched 5 of the last years in San Diego so he may not like today’s bitter temps. Ross has been solid in two starts so far this season though, giving up 2ER in 5 IP in his debut vs. the Yankees and holding KC to just 1 ER in 7IP the last time out. The Twins hold a cumulative .389 average vs. Ross but in just 18 total AB.
Twins Hoping Home Field Gives Them the Edge
Minnesota is back at Target Field after playing on the road the whole month of April so far. The Twins came back to some wintry weather that caused the postponement of Friday’s opener. Detroit isn’t exactly an island getaway, but you have to think the sub 40 degree weather favors the team from the Twin Cities. Saturday’s O/U is listed at 8.5 which is hard to gauge. On one hand, the cold temps favor a low scoring affair. On the other hand, Minnesota has plated 20 total runs their last two games. rocking Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard in back-to-back games. Mitch Garver has 3HR in the last two games and Jonathan Schoop had a 2HR outing on Tuesday.
Michael Pineda gets the nod for Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. He has allowed just 2ER in two starts this season although that has come in just 9 IP total. Pineda has only faced Cabrera and Jody Mercer in the Tigers lineup which has to give the 6’7″ 260 pounder an intimidating edge.
April 13th AL Free Pick Betting
Minnesota looks like a strong play back home where they took 2 of 3 from division leader Cleveland to start the season. Then again at -200 there’s no value in the Twins to win this one – especially with the cold weather. That weather should play a key as Pineda can hold the Tigers bats to likely a run or less through his 5 IP. As long as the Minnesota bullpen can nail it down – the total should be on the low side. The Twins bats aren’t exactly going to be hopping in this cold either.
AL Free Pick: Tigers / Twins *Under* 8.5
